Governor's Ethnic American Council: Islam is Goal

In the Tulsa World today I read about the influence of a family member of the recently controversial Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council - to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars! 

This council brought serious attention to themselves when they offered to provide all Oklahoma Legislators with a personalized copy of the Quran to help celebrate the state's 100th birthday.  A number of legislators took offense about being offered a religious text through the auspicious of a governor's council which meets in a public building with support staff all paid for by taxpayers.  Some legislators clearly didn't like being offered a religious text that speaks so ill of Christians.  Muslims took offense.  I wrote  here when 16 legislators joined in and here when it grew to 31. I think the list is now about 35.

Aside from this problematic news, the council chairwoman seem to makes it abundantly clear, in the very last sentence of the article, the goal of the council is to advance a better understanding of Islam.  To me this is teaching or advancing the religion of Islam.

"The family of a Muslim member of the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council has spent nearly $100,000 to influence elections since 2002, state Rep. Mike Reynolds said Wednesday.

Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, said the political contributions prove that the council's intentions "run far beyond education efforts" and that Gov. Brad Henry is "simply rewarding key campaign contributors."

Among members on the council is Mohammad Farzaneh, whose family made contributions to candidates in several Democratic and Republican races for both state and federal office. Paul Sund, spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry, said Wednesday: "Like all U.S. citizens, they have the right to support whatever cause or candidate they choose. They exercised that right when they contributed funds to the governor's opponent, Republican Ernest Istook, and a number of other Republican and Democratic candidates."

Records indicate that family members gave about $8,000 to Henry, and about $2,250 to Istook in the 2006 governor's race.

The council has been the subject of controversy recently with about 35 mostly Republican lawmakers declining to accept centennial editions of the Quran. Members of the Farzaneh family could not be reached for comment late Wednesday afternoon. Brothers Mohammad and Jalal Farzaneh are owners of Home Creations, a homebuilding firm based in Oklahoma City.

Reynolds recently called on Henry to disband or reform the ethnic advisory council, saying the group's members are all Muslim. Council chairwoman Marjan Seirafi-Pour said the intent of the council is to work with the government and others to build understanding of Islam."

If you find it offensive that this government council is trying to advance Islam,  please call the Governor of Oklahoma at 800 865-5853. 

Also call your two state legislators to complain - they can cut off funding if they get enough complaints.  Click on this link to find yours.

Comments

[Mary Jane]

I'm shocked the governor of Oklahoma would allow this group of Muslims a platform for Islam under his name.